Thread: 3rd rear diff

Did they say why?. Pat

Apparently "I must have got a dodgy one".
When I mentioned that there have been various people with the same problem he said he has not witnessed this diff issue with any of the defenders they sold first hand. He has seen many issues with leaks, a couple of rear axles, some bearings etc.
When they drained the oil shards of metal came out in it.....
It just seems the diff is set up incorrectly from factory

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All of my Defenders have had 3 or more warranty diffs. In fact overall ive had 10+ replacement diffs.... But if the diff survives the wear in period its lasted well. My td5 has 250,000 on it now.

I think dealers are programmed to say they have never seen that issue before....

Either way not a big deal as even after warranty its not hugely expensive to upgrade.

After warranty runs out I will be looking at a les Richmond automotive rear Ford 9 inch diff and Ashcroft built front diff with the works, axles, cvs, arb lockers and hopefully make it bullet proof.

Has anyone here used les Richmond automotive before? Opinion?

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I have been running Ford 9" diffs since the late about 1968 .The first was a 80" S! with 28 spline axles and Detroit locker rear and LS front.This would be more than adequate unless you intend using more than 220 hp as you can use standard spindles and hubs .The second option is 31 spline axles which requires
new spindles to pass the axle Diam thru and becomes expensive The 3rd option is bigger side gears in the diff larger axles spindles and hubs and becomes really exy

AM

So I've got an update.

On Friday my replacement diff went in. Driving home it felt great. Roughly 40 minutes on the motorway. Less clunky and much smoother gear changes, less backlash. This was all well and good until today. I thought I'd go for a drive with the MRS down to wollongong. I can report that with 155 kms on this new diff there is already a grinding/shearing noise. Exactly like the last one.

I am so disappointed. I've spent a fortune doing this car up. The les richmond 9 inch seems a good idea but considering I still have 1 and 1/2 years left of warranty this leaves that option out. Before the replacement diff went in I called land rover Australia and asked they get a professional diff specialist to look at it. They won't do it. I've had 2 diff specialists tell me that the rear housing is more than likely bent and the rear end needs to be completely replaced.

I'm so disappointed I'm thinking of trading it in and buying a landcruiser. I know, I've committed a sin mentioning toyota but I need confidence that the vehicle I'm driving won't leave me stranded and at the moment my defender is nothing but a headache.

.....I love the car but it is scary to know that land rover just keeps throwing diffs at my car rather than addressing the problem. 25000kms and I already know I will need a 4th diff😭😭😭😭

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Nando

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If that is the only gripe update the diff now, may as we'll enjoy the vehicle

Have you considered getting a report from a wheel alignment specialist for the rear wheel alignment? If the housing is bent then it should show-up then you'd have something on paper to show the dealer.